New York Liberty Star

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

50 CENTS

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SKERITT SW ORN IN AFTER LANDSLIDE VICT OR Y SWORN VICTOR ORY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009

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Copyright © 2006, New York Liberty Star

Caribbean News PLANE CRASHES AT KINGSTON AIRPORT Page 6

AN AMERICAN AIRLINES flight carrying 154 people skidded across a Jamaican runway in heavy rain, injuring more than 40 people.

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Entertainment

NOT AN EASY ROAD FOR REGGAE STAR

BUJU BANTON’S critics cast dark shadow on Rastafarian culture and reggae music, leading to anger.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 184

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

CONTENTS PM PATRICK MANNING

W E AT H E R

SKERITT WINS AGAIN

TODAY Cloudy High: 34° Low: 21° TOMORROW Scattered Snow/Showers

High: 33° Low: 23°

LEADERS RECOGNIZED

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AFUWI is set to honor four Caribbean prime ministers and Jamaica's Olympic Champion, Usain Bolt in NY.

LANDSLIDE VICTORY

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For the third time in six years, Roosevelt Skerrit was sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Dominica.

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Bush Doctor Finds Cures In Herbs Staff report

He bears the title “Bush Doctor” and the “Master Herbalist” as he travels the world in an unending quest to seak out the greatest secrets known to man in respect to herbs and the healing powers they posses.

Baba Rahsan Abdul Hakim, a native of St. Ann, Jamaica, has developed and continues to expand a vast knowledge of herbs through crosscultural interactions, research and studies.

The Bronx resident says with herbs one can heal any ailments or disorder known to man.

“The key is to know which herb to use for which ailment,” he said.

“Every herb has one primary use and many secondary uses. If you are suffering from an illness, you just need to find the herb with the primary use for that particular illness.”

Baba Rahsan, whose roots trace back to the Koromantee Tribe of Ethiopia, was chosen to continue his family’s healing lineage at an early age.

“I may have been five or seven years old when I got started,” he said.

“My family was very much into herbalist, and they would teach me about the different types of herbs, and usually it was in the form of a test. They would send me to go get a particular herb and if I came back with the wrong one, they would send me back.”

Baba Rahsan said his training was primarily hands-on, and of such he never attained a formal education.

However, the training deriving from his grandfather, father, mother and Aunt Rose paid off, as he is now one of the most sought after herbalist across the world, conducting frequent workshops and seminars throughout the Americas, Africa and England.

A highly respected lecturer and healer, Baba Rahsan is said to be the “Grandfather” of all wood root and

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

EDITORIAL STAFF LENECIA HINES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF IVROL HINES MANAGING EDITOR

DAENECIA HINES NATHANAEL HINES EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS PAUL HAUGHTON COMMUNITY RELATIONS LIASON DERRAN BROWN TONY CRAIG SALES EXECUTIVES A BRAND MARKETING abrandmarketing@gmail.com MARKETING & SALES

NEW YORK CITY CORPORATE OFFICE

397 Rockaway Ave Brooklyn, NY 11212 Telephone:

(718) 785-9722 Fax: (L-R) Radio personality Tony Craig, The Rootsman Earl Chin, and Baba Rahsan Abdul Hakim. (D. Hines photo)

(215) 294-5903 Send Mail to: New York Liberty Star 1930 Rockaway Pkwy.

Brooklyn, NY 11236 nylibertystar@yahoo.com

www.nylibertystar.com

Baba Rahsan Abdul Hakim (right) chats with Rita Marley (second from right) during a recent trip to Ethiopia.

Koromantee products on the market.

According to “The Rootsman” Earl Chin, Baba Rahsan provides a holistic approach to leading a healthy lifestyle.

“He has been my mentor, my herbalist and spiritualist since I came to America,” said Chin. “I have been drinking the Sundial products daily over the past 30 years. Baba Rahsan

is an endorsement of what the community needs right now in terms of living and eating properly.”

Each Friday morning from 5am 6 am, the master herbalist shares from his wealth of knowledge during his weekly radio show “Health at Sunrise”, aired on 1460 AM across New York City.

“Baba Rahsan is one of those few

people whom we have to cherish because they come around once in a lifetime,” said Chin. “He is like a Bob Marley or a Michael Jackson when it comes to herbs.”

Baba Rahsan is the founder and present chairman of the Ethiopian World Federation - Chapter 27 and pioneer of the Sundial products brand, which is sold worldwide.

New York Liberty Star welcomes letters from readers and press releases. We reserve the right to edit all materials, in keeping with publication standards.

To submit an article, send email to: nylibertystar@yahoo.com.

Hours of operation: M-F, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. All material due by 12 p.m., two days prior to publication. The New York Liberty Star is not responsible for typographical errors in ads beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Copyright New York Liberty Star 2001. All rightsreserved / Ivrol D. Hines.

SERVING NEW YORK CITY METRO PUBLISHED DAILY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

Consul General Derrick James with members of GoGetters.

Spice Cheers For Brooklyn Kids NEW YORK, NY -- There were early Christmas cheers last weekend for scores of Grenadian children living in Brooklyn.

The occasion was the second annual GoGetters Children Christmas party at the Marcus Garvey Cultural Centre on Church Avenue on Sunday.

Many children accompanied by their parents braved the chilly conditions to receive special gifts, eats and drinks and socialize with Santa Claus. GoGetters United, a Brooklynbased Grenadian group which was formed two years ago, held a series of fundraisers to provide the Christmas gifts for the Children.

The main organizers of GoGetters are Donald Dufont, Thomas Calliste, Desmond “Puma” Stanisclaus, and Kennedy “Twit” Phillip.

“Our concept for this Christmas is that every child deserves a toy, and we are happy that so many children were able to brave the snow to be here tonight,” Phillip said.

Consul General Derrick James also extended greetings on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada while GrenadianConnection and Ritch Image recorded video Christmas greetings on location and photographs of the children with Santa Claus.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Kids Enjoy Gifts, Santa And Refreshments At Festivity BROOKLYN, NY -- Brooklyn Councilmember Dr. Mathieu Eugene was joined

by PS 249 Parent Coordinator Nyoca Mackey and PTA President Dawn Torres in hosting his annual Holiday Toy Party for children, Dec. 19.

“I am so honored to join forces with PS 249 Principal Elisa Brown and these two wonderful advocates, Ms. Mackey and Ms. Torres, as we try to ensure that every one of you, our beloved children, have a happy and blessed holiday,” Dr. Eugene told his young listeners from the stage of the school auditorium. “You are the future of this country, and you deserve the very best we can give you.”

Councilmember Eugene went on to mention his own vivid memories of childhood Christmases and how he would literally dream of the toys he was hoping for. “Even the smallest thing was precious,” he declared.

This young man takes a picture with Santa.

With that, the Councilmember brought forward the true man of the hour, none other than Santa Claus himself, while the curtains drew aside to reveal the tables laden with gifts for the children.

Watching the kids receive their presents from Santa and the Councilmember, Nyoca Mackey said that she finds it very gratifying to work on this party every year, and she always hopes that the families who are struggling the most get a chance to be there. “I have a better holiday myself because I do this,” she concluded.

Dawn Torres added that especially during such a tough economic time, she is glad the councilmember remembers his constituents and gives back to them through events such as this one. “The people in this community are mostly blue-collar and very hard-working individuals,” she said, “and it's important that their needs are recognized and they are represented on a con-

Prime Minister Patrick Manning

sistent basis.”

Among those attending the party were Towana Williams and her daughter Morena Rozier. “I just want to thank Council Member Eugene and let him know that this is a very special occasion for my daughter and me,” Ms. Williams said. “I was not able to get presents for my children this year, so having the opportunity to participate in this Christmas event means a lot to us.”

After some very enjoyable entertainment provided by singer and guitarist Ricardo Frank, the festivity concluded with delicious refreshments provided by Super Wings New York, the Flatbush Food Co-Op and Golden Krust Bakery. Other contributors included Jack Katz and the Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), Mark Dicus and the Church Avenue BID, Toys for Tots, Forest City Ratner Companies, the New York Congregational Nursing Center, Target at the Junction and Macy's.

Usain Bolt

Caribbean Leaders And Sprint Star To Be Honored The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) says it will honour four Caribbean prime ministers and Jamaica's Olympic and World Athletic Champion, Usain Bolt, at its annual fundraising gala here in January. AFUWI says Barbados’ Prime Minister David Thompson, Belize’s Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning will be honoured at the event on January 28.

“The annual gala is the AFUWI’s premier fundraising event in the United States at which the prestigious Legacy Awards are conferred on notable individuals who represent high levels of achievement within their respective fields of industry and enterprise,” AFUWI said.

“This year, the four Caribbean prime ministers will be presented with the Legacy Awards,” it added.

The other categories are Caribbean Luminary, The Vice Chancellor’s Achievement Award, and The University of the West Indies Bob Marley Award.

Next year’s recipient of the University of the

West Indies Bob Marley Award is Emmy Award winner Spike Lee, an African American.

“This honor is granted to individuals whose contribution to the advancement of arts and culture transcends boundaries of race, color, creed and geographies, uniting people throughout the world in a spirit that embodies the essence of the music and lyrics of the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, OM,” the foundation said.

Dr. Edison O. Jackson, a former president of Medgar Evers College, a Brooklyn-based Black college at the City University of New York, will be presented with the foundation’s Special Award.

The foundation said. Jackson, who headed Medgar Evers College for two decades, is “being honoured for his exemplary leadership and innovation in the field of education.”

AFUWI said Bolt, the Jamaican-born triple Olympic and World Athletic Champion, will be presented with a special award “in honor of his recordbreaking performance in the recent Olympics and World Championships.”

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Bermuda Sets Up Safe Houses For Gang Members HAMILTON, Bermuda – The Bermuda government says it is establishing a number of safe houses for gang members who want to quit and "fear for their lives" as the island continues to reel from an upsurge in gang violence.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown told a news conference that "a number of safe houses" had already been identified and offers would be made to gang members to "help them start new lifestyles".

Brown said men and women had already been placed in safe housing on the island, but he refused to go into detail.

"These safe houses are for men and women who wish to find a safe place. Many of them are afraid and need to seek refuge,” Brown said, noting that the female companions of some gang members were indicating that they were “sick of it all" and pledged to "get out of it and cut it loose".

Brown was joined at the news conference by Governor Sir Richard Gozney, new Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva and Public Safety Minister David Burch.

They have been seeking to reassure the public that "nothing is off the table on the menu of options", although they said a curfew would not happen "just like that".

Most of the violence has been attributed to two gangs known as Parkside and 42, or 42nd Street. <!--[endif]--> On Monday, a young mother and a 21-year-old man were remanded in custody over the Christmas holidays after appearing in Magistrates' Court in connection with firearms offences.

Part-time model and store sales assistant Tiffany Eatherley, a 24-year-old mother of two, was charged with possessing a firearm and one round of ammunition between January 13 and December 16.

In a separate matter, Anthony Levon Swan was charged with a number of offences following a shooting in the capital last Wednesday.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered both Swan and Eatherley, who were not required to enter a plea, to be held on remand. Eatherley will reappear in court on January 4 and Swan the following day.

Royal Police Adopt ‘Zero Tolerance’ Stance

Passengers of American Airlines flight AA331 from Miami are evacuated from Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston Jamaica, after their plane made a crash landing, injuring more than 40 people, at least 4 seriously, according to officials, just after midnight Wednesday.

Plane Crashes In Kingston More Than 40 Hurt As Aircraft Skids Off Runway KINGSTON, Jamaica – An American Airlines flight carrying 154 people skidded across a Jamaican runway in heavy rain, bouncing across the tarmac and injuring more than 40 people before it stopped just short of the Caribbean Sea, officials and witnesses said.

Panicked passengers screamed and baggage burst from overhead bins as Flight 331 from Miami careened down the runway in the capital, Kingston, on Tuesday night, one passenger said.

The impact cracked the fuselage, crushed the left landing gear and separated both engines from the Boeing 737-800, airline spokesman Tim Smith said.

Crews evacuated dazed and bloodied passengers onto a beach from a cabin that smelled of smoke and jet fuel, passengers said. Rain poured through the plane's broken roof, one said.

Some 44 people were taken to hospitals with broken bones and back pains and four were seriously hurt, airport and Jamaican government officials said. American Airlines said two people were admitted to the hospital and nobody suffered life-threatening injuries.

Heavy turbulence on the way to Jamaica had forced the crew to halt the beverage service three times be-

fore giving up, Pilar Abaurrea of Keene, New Hampshire, told The Associated Press by phone. The pilot warned of more turbulence just before landing but said it likely wouldn't be much worse, she said.

"All of a sudden, when it hit the ground, the plane was kind of bouncing. Someone said the plane was skidding and there was panic," she said.

U.S. investigators will analyze whether the plane should have been landing in such bad weather, Smith said, adding that other planes had landed safely in the heavy rain.

Passenger Natalie Morales Hendricks told NBC's "Today" that the plane began to skid upon landing and "before I knew it, everything was black and we were crashing."

"Everybody's overhead baggage started to fall. Literally, it was like being in a car accident. People were screaming, I was screaming," she said.

"There was smoke and debris everywhere," after the plane halted, she said. "It was a mess. Everybody could smell jet fuel."

Passenger Robert Mais told The Gleaner newspaper of Jamaica that he had heard the engine's reverse throttle but that the plane didn't seem to slow as it skittered down the runway.

The plane came to a halt about 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 meters) from the Caribbean Sea and passengers walked

along the beach to be picked up by a bus, Mais said. Rain came through the roof of the darkened jet and baggage from the overhead compartments was strewn about the cabin, he said.

The plane originated at Reagan National Airport in Washington and took off from Miami International Airport at 8:52 p.m. and arrived in Kingston at 10:22 p.m. It was carrying 148 passengers and a crew of six, American said. The majority of those aboard were Jamaicans coming home for Christmas, Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz said.

Smith said there were two "significant" cracks in the fuselage, and the engines are designed to separate from the wings during an accident as a safety measure.

The airport reopened early Wednesday after officials had delayed flights because of concerns that the plane's tail might be hindering visibility.

Some 400 passengers waited for their flights to be cleared for takeoff, Security Minister Dwight Nelson told Radio Jamaica.

Heavy rains that have pelted Jamaica's eastern region for four days were expected to dissipate by Thursday. Authorities said the rains washed away a 7-year-old girl on Tuesday and led to a bus accident in which two people died.

NASSAU, Bahamas – The Royal Bahamas Police Force says it is adopting a “zero tolerance” stance against criminal activities during the Christmas Season and that an “enforcement” team had been established to implement a sustained, vigorous, multipronged assault on all serious crimes.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Elliston Greenslade said the decision to establish the new strategy followed the criminal activities in New Providence over the past few weeks.

He said that he has already met with officials of various law enforcement agencies including the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), the Strike Force, Special Branch and Criminal Intelligence Bureau to discuss the new strategy.

“Having formed an appreciation of the issues that confront at this very moment, I have committed to giving all of the resources – both human and capital to the officers here so that they might execute their duties in a more efficient fashion beginning immediately,” said Greenslade.

Superintendent Elbert Moss said that the initiative will be driven by ‘credible’ intelligence.

“We wish to send the strongest possible message to the criminal underclass, that effective immediately, you will hear from and feel the full brunt of the assets of the Royal Bahamas Police Force as we move resolutely to reduce the amount of crimes involving guns, violence, loss of life and property and illegal drug activities.”

Supt Moss advised the public not to offer refuge to persons who may be breaking the law.

“As a warning, we wish to discourage those members of the public, including families and friends, who are likely to disrupt the course of justice, not to give safe haven or passage to persons that are involved in criminal activity or those that the Police may have interest in.”

The police said that there will also be an increased presence of law enforcement officials and vehicles on the streets.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

Extradition Hearing Set For Stanford ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Chief Magistrate Ivan Walters has set January 25 as the date for the start of extradition proceedings against former head of the Antigua and Barbuda’s Financial Services Regulatory Commission (SRC), Leroy King.

United States law enforcement authorities have requested the of King on charges of helping disgraced Texan billionaire, Sir Allen Stanford, cover up an alleged US$7 billion Ponzi scheme.

King, 63, has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with taking bribes to ignore wrong doing in relation to the alleged Ponzi scheme.

Three Killed As Bus Plunges Down Precipice KINGSTON, Jamaica – Three people, including a five-year-old girl, were killed as a bus plunged down a precipice in the eastern parish of Portland late Monday.

Hospital authorities said that a number of passengers were also being treated for various injuries.

The tragedy occurred as the bus headed towards Port Antonio in heavy rains that have been lashing the island for the past 24 hours.

Eyewitnesses said that the accident occurred when the driver stopped to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle. But the road gave way plunging the stationary bus down the precipice.

Rescue teams have so far recovered two of the bodies and the Mayor of Port Antonio, Floyd Patterson, said incomplete road repairs contributed to the tragedy.

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Skeritt Sworn-In As PM After Landslide Victory

By Ben Meade ROSEAU, Dominica - For the third time in six years, Roosevelt Skerrit was on Monday sworn-in as the Prime Minister of this Eastern Caribbean island.

Skerrit, 37, flanked by close political colleagues, took the oath of office before President Nicholas Liverpool at a brief ceremony at the Office of the President that was also attended by his mother.

Skerrit led his Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to a convincing 18-3 victory over its main rival, the United Workers Party (UWP), at last Friday’s general election.

“We have a government in place and my hope is that all of us will work together towards the development of this country. We will look towards continued governance of the country with respect to all its institutions, laws and the Constitution of Dominica,” the Prime Minister said.

In an earlier interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), the Prime Minister, who will retain the Finance portfolio, said he would delay naming his Cabinet until after the Christmas holidays. However he announced Monday that Attorney General Francine Baron-Royer would continue in that post and that he would disclose the full composition of his ministerial team at a later time.

The former college lecturer first took the oath of office as Prime Minister in 2004 when the sitting prime minister, Pierre Charles, died. He was sworn-in to the highest political office again in 2005, when he led the DLP to victory at the polls.

Skerrit used the swearing in cer-

emony to set Dominicans at ease by saying that his DLP administration would not abuse the overwhelming majority that it has secured by seeking to change the Constitution at will, having surpassed the necessary twothirds majority needed in most instances.

“Notwithstanding the fact that we have 18 seats in Parliament, this government will never exercise that authority of going to the Parliament to amend any section of the Constitution without proper consultation with Dominicans the length and breadth of Dominica,” he assured.

As Skerrit was taking his oath, his chief political rival, UWP leader Ron Green, was preparing to file a challenge in court contesting the razor thin defeat that he suffered in the rural constituency of La Plaine.

If that result stands, Green will face the agonising reality of not being an elected Member of Parliament after a 15-year run.

Nonetheless, the Prime Minister offered an olive branch to the opposition and was hopeful that the defeated parties would play a role in the island’s development.

He said he would seek to ensure that all MPs have State-funded constituency offices, including an official office for the Leader of the Opposition.

“Let me extend a hand of friendship and goodwill to the opposition that we recognise that we need to work together to move this country forward.

“We’re prepared to work with them as we have sought to do in the last four and a half years and we shall continue to work with all other institutions towards the development of

Caribbean Consulates In New York Antigua & Barbuda 610 Fifth Avenue, Suite 311 New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel. 212-541-4117 Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, NY 10017 (212) 421-6420 Barbados 800 Second Avenue, 2nd Fl. New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-867-8435 Belize 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400G New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-599-0233

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Dominica,” the Prime Minister added, mindful that “the task ahead is not an easy one”.

If Dominicans were looking to their re-elected leader for a quick fix to the economic downturn that the country has been experiencing, Skerrit signalled that there were no immediate solutions, especially in light of what has been transpiring on the international markets.

“We are operating in a very difficult economy, a global situation where all the major players have been experiencing great difficulties over the last two years and from all indications that difficulty is expected to continue well into the second half of 2010. Now, Dominica operates in that environment and therefore we have to be mindful of that,” Skerrit told reporters gathered for the ceremony.

Cayman Islands (Dept. of Tourism) 420 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10170 (212) 682-5582 Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel. 212-768-2480 Grenada 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400K New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-599-0301 Guyana 866 UN Plaza, Room 304 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-527-3215 Haiti 271 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor New York, N.Y. 10016 Tel. 212-697-9767 Honduras 80 Wall Street, Suite 415, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10005 Tel. 212-269-3611 Jamaica 767 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017-2993 Tel. 212-935-9000 Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel. 212-838-6887 Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel. 212-745-0200 Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel. 212-840-2450 Puerto Rico 666 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor New York, N.Y. 10103 Tel. 800-223-6530 St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel. 212-535-1234 St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel. 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Ste. 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 800-786-2278 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 733 Third Avenue, Suite 1716 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-682-7272

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Your Best Christmas Ever?

By Marilyn Adamson

The Best Gift You Can Receive This Year For The Holidays?

Rudolph, Santa, and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas are all fun -- but fantasy stories. Christmas began in history, in real time and place.

Both Roman and Jewish historians document Jesus' life.

Why it is that the whole world celebrates the birth of Jesus? This little baby, born to a carpenter's family in the obscure town of Bethlehem in the Middle East, has a following today far beyond the borders of the U.S. The largest Christian church in the world is in South Korea. Now, the whole world doesn't celebrate my birthday. Why is he so special?

Well, Jesus said he was God. If you look at Buddha or Mohammed or the Dalai Lama, they identified themselves as prophets or spiritual guides. In contrast, Jesus clearly and repetitively told people he was God. A pretty lofty statement.

Jesus claimed he could give people eternal life and forgiveness for their sins...abilities that clearly belong only to God. His communication was also unique. Jesus didn't teach people ten steps to achieve holiness, or personal disciplines to reach God. If you want to know God, Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me."

He asked people to focus on himself with statements like, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

A lot of people are comfortable giving Jesus the status of an inspired teacher, maybe even a prophet. But what if this Jesus whose birth we celebrate is really the Messiah? What if he is God in human form whom so many of the Old Testament prophets wrote about?

The prophet Micah said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. David said he would be one of his own ancestors. Isaiah said he would minister in Galilee and die by torture. And on and on, well over 100 specific prophesies to help people identify the coming Messiah. Jesus fulfilled every one of them.

The chance of any person fulfilling even eight of these prophecies is one in 100,000,000,000,000,000.

"At a Bible study I met a Jewish woman who told how desperately she had prayed every day that she would find the truth about how to have a personal relationship with God. The very thought that Christ might indeed be the Son of God, the Messiah, frightened her. 'O God,' she often prayed, 'please be anyone but Jesus!'" But in her search, everything indeed pointed to Jesus, and today she gladly calls herself his follower. What draws people today in India, China, the Middle East, people throughout the world, to worship this Jesus? What is so appealing about him?

At first people followed Jesus because of his compassion and the miracles he performed to meet peoples' needs. He gave sight to the blind. He made the lame beggars walk. Because of him, the mentally ill could think soundly. We're told, "Jesus went about all the cities and villages...healing every disease."

And Jesus' healing went beyond the physical.

There were deep emotional needs he met. To a paralytic man, Jesus said, "Take heart, your sins are forgiven." People bristled at Jesus' comment, "This is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus responded to them, "So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...he said to the paralytic, 'Take your mat and go home.' And the man got up and went home.'"

That kind of settled it.

To a woman who was in her sixth relationship, after having five husbands, Jesus challenged her to know God's love so that her thirst for love would be satisfied. To others he offered peace in the midst of difficulties. "In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." He positioned himself as stronger than our problems, capable to meet our needs.

Who wouldn't want to be declared forgiven?

Wouldn't you want all your sins erased? Who wouldn't want peace or joy? Jesus talked about giving people a whole new life. Prophets and teachers couldn't do this for them, but Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." No wonder people followed him.

But there is more to Jesus than what he offers us. There is an authenticity to his character, to his words, which gave people then, and people today, reason to trust him. When confronted, he invited his greatest critics to point out whatever sin they saw in his life. And they were speechless. One time soldiers were sent to arrest Jesus and they came back empty-handed. When their superiors demanded an explanation, the guards simply said, "No one ever spoke the way this man does."

In the midst of a raging storm at sea, Jesus made the storm cease immediately at his command. The others in the boat "were filled with awe and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?'"

Jesus plainly said who he was. "I and the Father are one. If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them...know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Did his audience understand his message?

Absolutely. "This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him...he called God his own Father, making himself equal with God." Jesus so thoroughly equated himself with God that he said to know him was to know God (John 8:19; 14:7), to see him was to see God (John 12:45; 14:9), to believe in him was to believe in God (Mark 9:37), to hate him was to hate God (John 15:23), and to honor him was to honor God (John 5:23).

Now I should interject here, a former die-hard atheist is writing this. I thought people believed in God simply out of need. I was stunned when someone showed me clear, scientific evidence for God's existence, and equally impressive facts supporting Jesus being God. Part of enjoying all the celebration of Christmas is understanding who was born that day. The Christmas carols suddenly take on more punch. "Joy to the World, the Lord has come." Jesus was not another prophet or great teacher. This was God revealing himself to us as one of us.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Obama Answers His Black Critics

President Barack Obama

*President Barack Obama had a chat with White House correspondent April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks on Monday to answer critics who say he isn't showing enough compassion toward black America.

The president cited his health care effort as an example of how it "will be hugely important" for blacks. Another example, he said, is the billions of dollars in aid to states included in the economic stimulus bill, money that was used to save thousands of teachers, firefighters and police officers from losing their jobs. He said many of those workers are black.

"So this notion, somehow, that because there wasn't a transformation overnight that we've been neglectful is just simply, factually not accurate," Obama said in the Oval Office interview.

But the president acknowledged there are limits to what a president can do for any class

of people.

"The only thing I cannot do is, by law, I cannot pass laws that say 'I'm just helping black folks.' I'm the president of the entire United States," Obama said. "What I can do is make sure that I am passing laws that help all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable and most in need. That in turn is going to help lift up the African-American community."

As previously reported, black members of Congress have begun pressing their demands that the nation's first African-American president do more for minorities hard hit by the recession, noting the billions of dollars spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and to prop up big banks and large corporations. Nationally, unemployment stands at 10 percent while 15.6 percent of blacks are jobless.

Obama said the grumbling was justified because the U.S. has just begun to emerge from

the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. At the same time, he said polls show overwhelming support among blacks for what his administration is trying to do.

The president said the health care bill the Senate is expected to pass this week will help the one in five blacks who don't have health insurance – almost double the general population – by making coverage more affordable.

"This will be hugely important for the African-American community," he said, also citing increased spending on education.

Asked to comment on the state of black America, Obama paraphrased author Charles Dickens when he said it continues to be the best of times and the worst of times. Still, he said he was optimistic about the future.

But it's going to take work. It was never going to be done just because we elected me," he said.

President Bharrat Jagdeo

2009 Tough Year For Regional Economies GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), President Bharrat Jagdeo has described 2009 as a tough year for regional economies.

Jagdeo, addressing the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Christmas Luncheon, said that most of the Caribbean countries were still reeling from the effects of the global economic and financial crisis.

Using Antigua and Barbuda as an example, the Guyana President said that despite its high per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the island could not pay wages and salaries to its public workers, while Jamaica is seeking a bailout from the international financial institutions.

“We saw around the Caribbean, the collapse of CLICO, we saw the tourism industry reeling from the impact of global crisis because people don’t have money to spend so they cut back on their vacation,” Jagdeo said.

“Every country in the Caribbean has had problems with making payments…so it has a rough year for the world, a rough year for the region” Jagdeo said.

Regarding Guyana, the President said the country should record economic growth of less than four per cent this year and said this was due to “the accumulated work that we have done for a very long time in getting rid of our debt”.

He said in addition, because the government has created more fiscal space and had adopted a creative approach to the taxation on fuel “we have not seen any major shrinkage on our revenue, so our economy has managed to fairly stay afloat.”

Jagdeo said that Guyana has not seen any crash in housing prices, but instead an expansion within the sector.

During his February presentation of the national budget, Finance Minister, Ashni Singh had projected the economy to grow by about 4.7 per cent, with an inflation rate of 5.2 percent.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

WHAT’S PLAYING AT THE MOVIES? New Releases ARMORED BROTHERS EVERYBODY'S FINE SERIOUS MOONLIGHT TRANSYLMANIA UP IN THE AIR THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON THE BLIND SIDE 2012 OLD DOGS DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL NINJA ASSASSIN PLANET 51 PRECIOUS FANTASTIC MR. FOX AVATAR

BROTHERS Thirty-something Captain Sam Cahill and his younger brother Tommy Cahill, are polar opposites. A Marine about to embark on his fourth tour of duty, Sam is a steadfast family man married to his high school sweetheart, the aptly named Grace, with whom he has two young daughters. Tommy, his charismatic younger brother, is a drifter just out of jail who's always gotten by on wit and charm. He slides easily into his role as family provocateur on his first night out of prison, at Sam's farewell dinner with their parents, Elsie and Hank Cahill, a retired Marine. Shipped out to Afghanistan, Sam is presumed dead when his Black Hawk helicopter is shot down in the mountains. At home in suburbia, the Cahill family suddenly faces a shocking void, and Tommy tries to fill in for his brother by assuming newfound responsibility for himself, Grace, and the children.

Not an Easy Road

By Carlyle McKetty

In the song, Not an Easy Road, from his Til Shiloh album, Buju Banton laments that “By you rise to see the sun, Who you love a pull you down, Trying to discredit the works you have done,” and that sentiment immediately came to mind when I saw the Jamaica Gleaner headline –– “Rasta Got Woes.” I found it disturbing because I understood clearly that this headline was not only a mockery of Rasta got Soul, the title of Buju’s Grammy nominated album but also a mockery of the Rastafarian livity itself.

I have not done the research, but without fear of successful contradiction, I challenge anyone to produce another case in the Gleaner’s 175 year history where it has similarly made a mockery of Christians, Jews or any other established faith community. In the twentieth century, Jamaica contributed reggae music and Rastafari to the world. Reggae Culture Salute, the hallmark event of the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music celebrates the unique relationship between reggae, Rasta, Selassie and Jamaica and at this year’s salute in November, the Mighty Diamonds was honored with a proclamation from the United States Congress, recognizing their forty year contribution to reggae music. I stated then that Jamaicans should be proud to see their two twentieth century contributions to the world being honored by the Congress of the United States of America. In her presentation Congresswoman Yvette Clarke added – “You don’t have to dread to be rasta.”

Yet here, a month later, we have an institution that has been loved and supported by the Jamaican people, turn its back on the people of Jamaican in this blatant disrespect for the Rastafarian faith.

Many will attest to the influence of Rastafari on Buju’s seminal works on Til Shiloh while others decry his departure from that path, and most of us know that among Buju’s many detractors are gay activists at home and abroad, who are angry about his unrepentant stance regarding his position on homosexuality.

As I reflected on the way in which the gay community has been resolute in its determination to disrupt Buju’s career, I was reminded of my interactions in the 1980s with members of the African National Congress of South Africa who unapologetically declared their determina-

Buju Banton tion to “render apartheid ungovernable”.

The ANC ultimately overturned the South Africa apartheid system and the gay community has been successful in disrupting Buju’s tours.

The Gleaner headline reminded me of the disrespect shown to President Barack Obama and his wife by the New Yorker magazine during the presidential campaign and the further disrespect to Mr. Obama by the New York Post after he took office. It also reminded me of the historic disdain the Jamaican establishment has had for Rastafarians.

It’s not an easy road, but perhaps it’s time

NYC Fan Convicted For Harassing Ashanti’s Mother NEW YORK – A would-be rapper was convicted Tuesday of harassing Ashanti's mother with a flurry of dirty photos and lewd text messages about the Grammy Award-winning R&B star.

Devar Hurd shook his head as a Manhattan jury delivered its verdict after two days of deliberations, finding him guilty of stalking and aggravated harassment for messages the singer's mother called scary and disgusting.

Hurd, a sometime model and car salesman from Griffith, Ind., said he thought the crude

Ashanti

messages, photos of his genitals and a picture of the home where Ashanti's family lives were welcome.

The 31-year-old is being held without bail until his sentencing, set for Jan. 11. He faces up to two years in prison. His lawyer, Richard Verchick, left court without speaking to reporters and didn't immediately return a phone call afterward.

Ashanti's mother, Tina Douglas, told jurors she didn't know Hurd when he began calling her and leaving messages recounting bizarre and rambling sexual fantasies about the singer. Douglas manages her daughter's multiplatinum-selling career.

Douglas said she told Hurd to leave her alone but he went on to send dozens of revolting text messages and pictures.

"It was just disgusting and humiliating and extremely frightening," Douglas testified, adding that she pulled Ashanti out of a rehearsal of "The Wiz" after Hurd sent a message that mentioned seeing the singer's car outside the theater.

the Jamaican community, emulate the determination of the ANC or even the gay lobby, and hold the Gleaner accountable for its blatant disrespect and trivialization of Rasta and by extension, the Jamaican people. Send your comments and suggestions to cpr@tsoproductions.com– we look forward to hearing from you.

Carlyle McKetty is President and a cofounder of the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music (CPR) a charitable organization on a mission to raise the bar in the creation, development, promotion and presentation of reggae music. CPR, which seeks to elevate the profile of artists and to research, codify, curate and disseminate information about the genre so as to increase understanding of its development and its significance to the social, economic and political development of Jamaica and its influence around the world is sponsor of the Community Conversation Series. Send your comments to cpr@tsoproductions.com

Veteran Actress-Media Personality Dies In Freak Accident

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Veteran actress and media personality, Myron Ali, 56, died at her home after falling in her bathroom on Sunday, relatives said.

Media reports said that her body had been found by her son, the soca artiste, Olatungi Yearwood.

Ali, a popular comedienne and radio and television talk show host, was also the co-owner of the production company, Ha Ha Production Limited.

The former secondary school teacher also worked with a number of theatre companies here including the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, Bagasse Company and Raymond Choo Kong and at the time of her death was the host of the morning television show host on Gayelle Television.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

Mary J. ‘Stronger’ Than Ever NEW YORK – Mary J. Blige, who is known as the “queen of hip-hop soul,” says she’s kept her lofty title because she stays in tune with what younger audiences want to hear.

“I always get inspired back from the Rihannas and the Beyonces,” the 38-year-old says. “You just have to be open enough to learn from another generation. ... That’s being a smart person and that’s why I’m always able to be just right there — not doing what they do, but what I do.”

Blige’s latest CD, “Stronger withEach Tear,” has a fresh sound that maintains her R&B groove. It is her ninth studio release.

In a recent interview, Blige — who has won nine Grammy Awards since her debut in 1992 — talked about R&B music, recording a jazz album — and being a crybaby.

The Associated Press: Would you say that you’re a sensitive person?

Blige: I would say that I’m a very sensitive person.

AP: Are you crying about the same things that you cried about earlier in your career?

Blige: I think I cry about different things now. I cry because I want to be better than this. I want to continue to grow so, you know, I have to give myself a break. I’m my worst critic. I’m the hardest person on me. I’ve been like that forever, but I’ve just learned to give myself a break so even now when I slip ... I don’t want to hurt anyone.

And I cry when I hurt people unintentionally.

AP: How do you react when one of your songs is played on the radio?

Blige: If I hear one of my old songs like “Not Gon’ Cry” or “My Life” — the “My Life” album just always makes me stop and just cry, like just bawl. So call me a crybaby, whatever. I’m a woman, too, so sometimes it’s just that time.

AP: Is it hard to perform those emotional songs when, at this point, you’re in a different place?

Blige: For me performing “Not Gon’ Cry” and “I’m Goin’ Down” and “My Life” — it’s like therapy again. I just love the way it makes me feel at the moment and get it out of my system, you know. Those are hurtful places and sometimes you got to revisit for the sake of other people.

AP: How would you compare today’s R&B music with the ’90s music?

Blige: Can I say ’80s, too? There is no comparison because the music in the ’90s and the ’80s was just like, music. You had Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who were on the radio. Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones everywhere,

Mary J. Blige all over the place. Anita Baker, just so many amazing people. ... I’m not saying the music isn’t beautiful now.

It’s just such a ... it’s limited.

AP: How do you think your fashion style has evolved?

Blige: I mean I’ve had some disasters, some trials, some errors, some disastrous hair moments and clothing moments, but that’s due to the insecurity in me and not knowing what works for me and trying to do what works for everybody else. But once you fall into what works for you, which is what I did, you can’t go wrong unless you just want to go wrong.

AP: What advice do you have for insecure women who dress in a way they probably shouldn’t dress?

Blige: I guess the insecure younger woman, just do what works for you because everything doesn’t work for everyone. You know exactly what works for you. You know if you can wear something tight and formfitting and it be hot, or you know if you’re going to wear something tight and you’re going to be bubbling all over the place. So I mean, use your common sense and be confident in that.

AP: You’ve collaborated with everyone from Sting to U2 to Aretha Franklin. Is there anyone else you’d like to work with?

Blige: I haven’t had a chance to collaborate with Anita Baker yet. So when I do my jazz album, Anita, I’m coming for you.

AP: When are you planning to release the jazz CD? Blige: I have no idea when I’m going to do the jazz album, but it can’t be long. It won’t be long

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Macka Diamond Returns To St Marteen After waiting more than two years, St Marteen party lovers and music fanatics finally got a chance to see dancehall artiste Macka Diamond rock the stage in what will go down in the money goddess’ career as one of her most energetic performances in the Caribbean.

Rocking the more than 500-stong crowd that squeezed into the 300-person capacity Secret Nite Club in the Dutch/ French colony nation with her timeless hits and modern day chart toppers alike, the top flight female act gave patrons an appearance they will not soon forget.

“The last time I was in St Marteen it was mad. I was on a show with Allison Hinds, and it was crazy!” Macka Diamond explained. “So I knew that I had to match that performance, cause the St Marteen massive love dancehall and dem love dancehall energy,” she said.

With an awesome 60-minute set prepared, an emphatic Macka Diamond, dressed in red and black, started to unravel a dancehall experience like St Marteen never had before.

Going way back in the archives for her first chart topping tune, Done Already, the ladies in the audience showed their love for Macka Diamond with screams, and chanted along with her as she spit the lyrics for the single. The love continued as she performed Tek Con, Lexxus and Benz, Chase Money, and Nuh Fren Mate.

The crowd grew even more excited when the beat of the remix of soca anthem Wukkin Up, she recorded with Patrice Roberts last year, started to play.

“Big up Patrice Roberts,” she said as she introduced the remix which sent her to the top of the soca world, and caused the well-entertained crowd to get into “wukkin” mode. From there, she hopped on the Hula Hoop train and that sent the club into greater frenzy, which remained constant through four more singles.

The voice of songwriter-turned-artiste Unicorn boomed from the club’s sound system and Macka Diamond introduced the track Think Bout Mi... but she had no need

Macka Diamond to, as St Marteen proved that they knew the song word-for-word.

The dancehall artiste-cum-author ended her set with the ‘female anthem’, Bun Him, where she called volunteers on stage to sing the tune for her.

“I don’t want to be Macka Diamond tonight. I want someone to come up here, and perform Bun Him, and mek me go in

the crowd and enjoy myself,” she said, to which fans responded emphatically, and tried their hand at performing the song that still rocks crowds all over the world.

But the crowd would not leave until Macka Diamond herself performed the tune, and that she did, and ended her set as she deejayed the last chords of Bun Him, leaving St Marteen more than satisfied.

Tallpree Doing ‘Hit’ Again Ten years after his monumentous hit Ole Woman Alone, Wilt Cambridge better known to us as Tallpree is set to captivate the soca world once again.

While Ole Woman, featured the distinct sound of the Jab Riddim complete with the pulsating sound of the conch shell, Tallpree’s current hit Wicked Jab, goes beyond just using the Jab Riddim but gives a detailed description of what it means to play ‘Jab Jab’.

While some in Grenada have been negative in their attitude toward the Jab Jab phenomenon, Tallpree, has become a wellliked and in-demand entertainer by featuring the one component of Grenada’s Carnival that is authentically indigenous.

Since the conclusion of the 2009 carnival season in Grenada, Tallpree has been constantly touring. New York’s Labor Day, Miami’s Carnival and to date 5 trips to Toronto have been included on his very hectic schedule.

The spike-haired image and elbow-spiraling dance brought to the soca world a refreshing and distinctive flavor to counter the monotony of the jump and wave and flags and rags era.

Ten years on, history is about to repeat itself with another fresh dose of Tallpree and by extension Grenada.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

THE HIST OR Y AND THE TRADITION AL HISTOR ORY TRADITIONAL MEDICIN AL VAL UE OF COFFEE MEDICINAL ALUE (BUNNA) The history of the coffee has its beginning in Ethiopia, the original home of coffee.

The first and the original coffee has been discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd named KALDI. KALDI noticed that whenever he put his sheep in the pasture where the coffee tree was growing the sheep would eat the ripe beans and in a few hours, they would start jumping and running around while the sheep in the other pasture that did not eat from the coffee tree were calm and normal. KALDI filled his pocket with the coffee beans and ran home to announce his discovery to his wife.

“THEY ARE HEAVEN SENT” she declared, you must take them and show them to the monk in the monastery and “KALDI” showed them to the monk in the monastery near Lake Tana, the source of the Blue River which is in Ethiopia.

In case of asthma and heart attack drink Ethiopian black coffee with dash of cayenne pepper, it relaxes the breathing passage enabling more air to get to the lung.

Also additional research shows “Health and Nutrition breakthrough February 1998”.

- 1 cup of black coffee a day 5% less chance of having a wheezing - 2 cups of coffee a day 23% less chance of having a wheezing Ethiopian coffee cleans the stomach and colon of phlegm and fermented waste and relieving gas.

It is also very good for an enlarged prostate bring the size of the prostate down, keeping it as its normal size.

The monk tried the coffee beans as a result the coffee beans kept him awake during his long prayers.

KALDI also drank some coffee and found that it gave him a lot of energy. It also caused him to urinate a lot and clean out his bladder’s daily waste. He later told his neighbor his experience and they started having coffee together in the morning as a social gathering.

THIS IS HOW COFFEE WAS DISCOVERED. The name coffee comes from the word Kaffa ,the area where the coffee originated in Ethiopia.

Ethiopian coffee was introduced to the world in Arabia.

The botanical name used to identify Ethiopian Coffee, “Coffea Arabia” is wrong; the correct name is “Coffea Ethiopia”, which identifies as native of Ethiopia.

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The first coffee house opened in Europe in the fifth century in London, England 1652. Coffee in Amharic Language is BUNNA. THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL VALUES IN Ethiopia, coffee is used as a brain and nerve stimulant.

Ethiopian black coffee with a dash of cayenne pepper improves the activity to the kidney, bladder and urinary tract to bring on the flow of urine and at the same time breakup gravely gallstone, bladder stone and uric that contributes to rheumatism, gout and other types of inflammation ailment.

Medicinally, Ethiopian coffee taken with a dash of cayenne pepper sweetened with honey or brown sugar strengthens the heart and regulates the heart beat. It improves the memory by supplying oxygen to the brain cell. It is an antioxidant which suppresses the growth of cancer anywhere in the body.

Coffee can over stimulate the brain and nerves if abused. No more than two cups a day.

Ethiopian coffee is the original kind of coffee and it alone has the above mentioned medicinal property, all other coffee is the world’s hybrid of Ethiopian original coffee and has lost their original chemical balance and effectiveness.

COFFEE is native to the area of Ethipoia known as KAFFA, where the name COFFEE is derived from the work KAFFA.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Upbeat Williams Hails Rookies BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – West Indies head coach David Williams has saluted the rookies on the regional squad and said their performance Down Under was a positive sign for the future.

Speaking on the team’s return from Australia on Tuesday, the former West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman said the tour had been an encouraging one, despite going down 2-0 in the three-Test series.

“I think it went very well when you consider the junior guys on the team,” said Williams, after the team arrived at Grantley Adams International just after 4 pm.

“Maybe we expected some of the senior guys to do a little bit better but when you consider the guys like Adrian Barath, Kemar Roach, Travis Dowlin as well as Narsingh Deonarine … also Ravi Rampaul, the way they stuck to their task, the way they went about their job, it was really fantastic to see so hats off to these guys [because] they really performed out there.”

The 19-year-old Barath became the youngest West Indies player to score a Test century when he slammed a stroke-filled 104 in the first Test in Brisbane where the tourists crashed to a humiliating innings and 65-run defeat inside three days.

Dowlin, meanwhile, scored two half-centuries in four innings while speedster Roach was the revelation of the series, impressing with his pace and control as he troubled all of the Australian batsmen.

In his only Test, Deonarine carved out a fighting 82 in the second innings in Perth to give the Windies hope of winning the third and final encounter, a game they eventually lost by 35 runs.

Williams said the performance of these players was testament the talent pool in the Caribbean was dwindling.

“The saying is that the barrel is empty but I don’t think that, that was proven in Australia

Kemar Roach when we had these young players coming to the forefront and giving people something to talk about,” said Williams who was a member of the last West Indies team to win a series against Australia Down Under in 1993.

“It’s all about exposure and if you can keep exposing our young players to that level of cricket sooner or later they guys will get better and better as time goes by. It’s all about being prepared, being exposed and it’s really good to see the guys giving an account of themselves.”

Following their innings debacle at the Gabba, West Indies rebounded with an impressive showing in the second Test in Adelaide, putting Australia on the ropes before they escaped with a draw.

The West Indies team arrived without their captain Chris Gayle and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who remained in Australia for the Twenty20 Big Bash tournament.

World's Tallest Teenage Girl A 6-11 Hoopster From Jamaica Maybe next year she'll be ready to post up Shaq. Not yet, though. After all, Marvadene Anderson needs to grow another inch before she can see eye-to-eye with a 7-footer.

For now, she will have to settle for being the world's tallest teenage girl and a 6-11 sophomore on the Rutgers Prep basketball team in Somerset, N.J. At 6-feet-11-inches tall, the Clarendon, Jamaican-native has been honing her game at the 700-student school, which prides itself on building character through community service, academics and sports.

Anderson, 16, is 215 pounds and wears a size 12 shoe. But what got her teased in her native land has made her a star in Jersey. Over the past two months that she’s been on the squad, she’s been studying the rules and intimidating her opponents. Shot-blocking is becoming easier, as is scoring.

"Everyone has come up to me and asked if I play college basketball. I told them I'm only a sophomore in high school. They gasped when I told them," Anderson told the New York Post.

Her basketball potential earned the Jamaican native a scholarship to the New Jersey prep school. Back home, Anderson played netball — a Jamaican variation of basketball — so she has spent the past few months adjusting to the American game.

Anderson's coach at Rutgers Prep, Mary Coyle-Klinger, said: "Of course, she is going to be a star. She's a natural. She's only been playing two months, and it's amazing how well she's adapted."

And if you want to ask the former Edwin Allen student how the weather is up there,

Marvadene Anderson Anderson probably wouldn't even frown. Her outgoing personality has resulted in the nickname of "Bubbles."

"People are friendly with me because of my height and my personality," she said. "If I was tall and mean, I think I'd have a problem."

And speaking of problems …

"The rudest thing anybody ever said about my height is that I'm not going to be able to find a husband."

Her sister, Kimberly, is 6-feet-four-inches tall. “They call me ‘baby giant.’ … They call us the Twin Towers,” she told the Post.

When she left Jamaica, she was taken in by Enid Angus, who discovered her talents, according to The Asbury Park Press Post. “She’s my heart. I committed to treating her like my own.”

Anderson’s family remains in Jamaica.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR *

Deon Burton

Deon Burton Just Misses Hat-trick CHARLTON, England – Charlton Athletic’s Jamaican striker Deon Burton says he is disappointed not to have scored a hat-trick last Saturday but said he was even more frustrated with his side’s 4-4 draw with Millwall.

Burton lashed in two first half penalties to put the hosts on course for a possible victory at The Valley but they gave up a late goal to settle for a share of the points in the English League One. “The boys are a bit down. To be up and with them having 10 men but not coming away with three points does feel a bit like a defeat,” said the 33-year-old, one of the architects of Jamaica’s FIFA World Cup debut in 1998.

“But we got a point and we’re still undefeated at home so we’ll move onto the next game. To give Millwall fair dues, they’re a good team and they kept battling away with 10 men and were working hard to make it difficult for us.”

In a pulsating south London derby, Charlton trailed Millwall after just 12 minutes when the 26-year-old Steve Morison pounced on a defensive blunder to slot home and they were left in strife in the 27th minute when he fired in from close range following Marc Laird’s corner.

But Burton pulled one back from the spot four minutes later after Dave Mooney was bundled over by Andy Frampton in the area and scored again in the 38th minute following Nadjim Abdou’s foul on Lloyd Sam. The double took Burton’s tally for the season to 12 but he said he would have liked to have added a third.

“I don’t think I’ve had two penalties in one game before and I’m disappointed not to have scored a hat-trick,” he lamented.

Burton is eyeing his highest-ever season tally of 17 and will seek to add to his count when Charlton host Swindon Town on Boxing Day.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

NEW YORK LIBERT Y STAR

SPORTS

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JAMAICAN TEEN TALLEST HOOPSTER P. 22